European laws to regulate hedge funds and private equity funds for the first time should be subject to a full impact assessment, a UK treasury minister says

Hundreds of small companies have warned EU legislators over possible consequences of proposals to regulate hedge funds and private equity funds, saying these could affect capital support

Proposals to regulate hedge funds and private equity funds in Europe could be a "catastrophe" for the venture capital sector, industry figures warn

The European Commission yesterday (11 March) rejected criticism coming from Washington that plans to regulate hedge funds and private equity in Europe would cause a transatlantic rift by closing doors to US funds.

Hedge funds and private equity firms are hoping a resurgent right wing in European politics will give them stronger support when they call for changes to proposed legislation they see threatening their industries.

A fresh effort to unblock the logjam over new EU rules to regulate hedge funds and private equity funds and allay US fears of regulatory protectionism is being spearheaded in the European parliament

The European Commission's draft directive on hedge funds and private equity funds can and will be improved, according to the UK's financial services minister

The European Commission's plans to regulate hedge funds and private equity for the first time threaten to become a central issue in the European parliamentary election campaign

European parliamentarians vowed to amend proposals to regulate hedge funds and private equity funds, because of fears the legislation could trigger an exodus to countries outside the EU such as Switzerland

The alternative funds industry has reacted with anger at the Commission’s proposal for stricter regulations of hedge funds and private equity groups. The Commission’s proposal, tabled yesterday, would require alternative fund managers, rather than funds themselves, to register and seek government authorisation for the first time.